Saturday, January 13, 2007

Messiness Defended

Some Interesting News...

A new book by Eric Abrahamson and David H. Freedman, A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder, claims that a degree of disorganization is a good thing. The authors think that keeping things in perfect order reduces efficiency and wastes time. They also think a messy home is more nurturing for children.

"There are people who spend all day keeping things in their places who really wish they had time to do other things," Freedman says. "But they feel obligated to do this."

The quote above reminds me of a basic principle of organization that I read in some book: Always put every single thing on any project away, even if you are going to work on it again tomorrow. To me, that seems a perfect example of excessive neatness being a waste of time.

I appreciate the permission to keep various reference materials stacked around the computer, even if it does look messy to the unaccustomed eye. I think I had better continue to strive for some order in the house, though. The stacks would get pretty deep around here if I just embraced my messy tendencies.

IT IS STILL BEST to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasure; and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong.(Laura Ingalls Wilder, 1867-1957)